A Pembroke Dock man accused of assaulting his partner has been given an 18 month conditional discharge after admitting the offence in court.

Forty-seven-year-old Phillip John Miller, of Dimond Street appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday to admit a charge of common assault by beating.

Prosecutor Abul Hussain told the court that Mr. Miller had been remanded in custody since the incident which occurred on Sunday, February 10.

“The defendant had been out drinking in the local pub the Rose and Crown with his partner and brother. She alleges that he lunged towards her with he head at the pub without provocation.

“When they returned home, they got into a verbal argument, and the victim alleges that Mr. Miller put his hands around her throat, which made her feel scared, causing her to scream.

“She told police that she does not want to end the relationship and does not want a restraining order, but wants Mr. Miller to seek help as he has anger problems, especially when he’s had a drink,” he continued.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb said that the matter started off with a drunken argument. “It was no more than that. He doesn’t accept that he lunged towards her to headbutt her in the pub, but he is not charged with that.

“He accepts the other charge, but denies grabbing her by the throat, and said it was by the scruff.

“Mr. Miller doesn’t accept that he has a drinking problem or any anger issues, and there is no history of violence. They go out some weekends drinking together, but Mr Miller states that he doesn’t feel the need to drink frequently.

“Some times couples just row - there was no injury caused,” he added.

Magistrates handed Mr. Miller an 18 month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £20 victim surcharge.

A motorist stopped in Milford by police has been given a 12 month driving ban after testing positive for cannabis.

Twenty-three-year-old Craig Musgrove of Highlands Avenue, Haverfordwest, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday to admit a charge of driving his Honda Civic motor vehicle with a quantity of the drug in his blood.

Prosecutor Abul Hussain told the court that police officers on duty pulled Mr. Musgrove over in Milford Haven on November 22 of last year for a routine stop check.

“The roadside test proved positive for cannabis and Mr. Musgrove was taken to the police station where a further blood test was taken,” he explained.

Defence solicitor Mark Layton told the court that the facts were accepted and it was a relatively low reading.

Magistrates disqualified Mr. Musgrove from driving for 12 months, and fined him £120 for the offence.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.